Smart ring providing multi-mode control in a personal area network

ABSTRACT

A smart ring (100) provides multi-mode control in a personal area network (PAN). The smart ring has a fingerprint sensor (106) for identifying upon which finger and which finger segment the smart ring is being worn. A controller (902) of the smart ring (100) enables a predetermined PAN device and PAN control function in response to identified finger and finger segment information (1, 2, 3) matching pre-stored fingerprint information. One of the PAN devices is thus selectively enabled and a predetermined function is controlled, based on identification of the finger and finger segment location of the smart ring (100). Several different PAN devices (narrowband radio, body-worn camera, sensors, gun holster, remote speaker microphone, broadband device, to name a few) can be selectively controlled and varied via rotation of the smart ring (100), making the smart ring well suited for public safety applications.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to communication systems, and moreparticularly to a device for controlling multiple modes and functionswithin personal area network (PAN).

BACKGROUND

When operating a communication system in a public safety environment,the ability for a user to control more than one device and/or more thanone control function per device is highly desirable. In today's publicsafety environment, a portable, body-worn, communication system mayutilize a portable two-way radio, in conjunction with a radio accessorydevice, such as a remote speaker microphone (RMS), headset, and thelike. While a radio accessory device may be coupled to the radio via awired or wireless interconnect, the ability to add on accessories andswitch control between radio accessories becomes limited and complex.Attempting to manage additional wireless electronic devices, such as aphoto/video camera, an electronic notepad, a cell phone and the like,which may be body-worn, mounted to a vehicle dashboard, and/or mountedto bicycle handle bars, during the course of public safety operationscan become cumbersome.

Approaches that have been used in the past to manage or track devicesinclude capacitive touch sensing, gyroscopes, accelerometers, andgesture control, but all these approaches tend to have issues with falsetriggering and limited functionality.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a device and system thatfacilitates multi-mode control of devices and the various functions ofthose devices operating within a communication environment, such as apublic safety environment. A device that identifies authorized users andties this identification into the operation of the device would provideadditional security to public safety systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a personal area network (PAN) control device embodied as asmart ring formed and operating in accordance with the variousembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a communication system comprising a plurality of communicationdevices that can be selectively controlled within a PAN network by thesmart ring 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows the smart ring of FIG. 1 operating in accordance with somevarious embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows additional details of the smart ring operating inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show additional views of the smart ring of FIG. 1being worn and operated on different fingers and different fingersegments in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows examples comparing normal operation of the smart ring ofFIG. 1 with various emergency alert embodiments; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a communication system comprising aplurality of communication devices one of which includes the smart ringformed and operating in accordance with various embodiments.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Briefly, there is provided herein a portable electronic device in theform of a wearable smart ring that provides the ability for a user toselectively control one or more electronic devices and/or more controlfunctions per device in a communication system, for example a portablecommunication system formed of a plurality of body-worn devicesoperating within a public safety environment. Other communicationdevices operating within the system may be for example, dash-mounteddevices, handlebar mounted devices, or a combination thereof. The smartring to be described through the various embodiments provides userauthentication via fingerprint scan. Upon authentication of fingerprintswith pre-stored prints in memory, the smart ring enables a controlfunction of one of the devices within the system. Sliding of the ringfrom finger segment location to finger segment location enablesdifferent functions. Where applicable, the smart ring further providesvariable control of the enabled function via rotation of the ring. Thesmart ring thus advantageously allows for one device to manage thecontrol of a plurality of functions of different devices by moving thedevice from finger to finger, sliding the ring from segment to segmentand rotation of the ring. The smart ring is beneficial in public safetyenvironments where for example, an officer be working undercover requirediscretion in the manipulation of controls of various accessory deviceswhich are worn on or near the body.

FIG. 1 is a personal area network (PAN) control device embodied as asmart ring 100 formed and operating in accordance with the variousembodiments. Smart ring 100 is a body wearable, battery operated PANcontrol device for wearing on any one of a user's fingers. In accordancewith the various embodiments, smart ring 100 has an exterior surface 102and an interior surface 104, wherein the interior surface 104 furthercomprises a fingerprint sensor 106 integrated therein for identifyingupon which finger and which finger segment the smart ring is being worn,and in accordance with further embodiments determines rotation of thering together with direction of the rotation. The fingerprint sensor 106may comprise for example integrated fingerprint sensor, image sensor,infrared sensor, finger vein pattern recognition sensor, camera, orscanner, known in the art, and therefore not discussed in furtherdetail. The smart ring 106 is powered on automatically upon being placedon a user's finger via the fingerprint sensor 106. In accordance withthe various embodiments, the smart ring 100 automatically scans aportion of the finger upon which it is placed. The prints held in thering's memory contain prints taken along all portions of a finger, suchthat a scan taken, for example, by smart ring 100 at a smaller portionof a side segment of an authorized user's finger will be matched to acorresponding portion stored in the database.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the wearable smart ring 100is formed of an annular member defining an aperture adjustably sized viaa flexible portion 112 formed of an adjustable elastic material or othersuitable conformable material which adjusts to allow the smart ring tobe worn on any finger. The stretch portion 112 further facilitates theability to align the fingerprint sensor 106 against the skin at anylocation along a finger. The stretch portion 112 further facilitates theability rotate the smart ring 100 by simple manipulation of the stretchmaterial and rotational movement of the smart ring 100. In accordancewith some embodiments, the smart ring 100 may further comprise lightemitting diode(s), LEDs 110 indicative of various functions. Inaccordance with some embodiments, the smart ring 100 may instruct anyPAN device operating within a network such as, a radio, a head mounteddisplay (HMD), an earphone, to name a few, through PAN connectivity, togenerate a status indication tone or voice announcement according to theaction performed on the ring and worn position of the ring.

The fingerprint sensor 106 is coupled to a controller and memory locatedwithin the smart ring 100 (shown and described later in conjunction withFIG. 9). In accordance with various embodiments, the memory stores alibrary database of identified authorized users and predetermineddevices based on pre-stored fingerprint scans, and informationpertaining to predetermined finger segments, such as predeterminedcontrol functions. In accordance with the various embodiments, the smartring 100, via the controller, enables a predetermined PAN controlfunction in response to the fingerprint sensor 106 generating anidentified finger and finger segment match with the pre-storedfingerprint information stored in memory. For example, upon properauthorization being verified via the fingerprint scan, the smart ring100 may enable a radio mode, and now have control of a predeterminedfunction of a radio, located on or about the user, such as apush-to-talk (PTT) function, using a button 108 of the smart ring.

In some embodiments the control function is a variable control function,and the smart ring 100 can further provide control of the variablecontrol, by rotation of the smart ring 100, for example rotation ofsmart ring 100. The LEDs 110 may also be used to facilitate viewing ofvariable changes in such a control. In accordance with some embodiments,the PAN control function may be a variable function in which sliding thesmart ring to different segment locations along the finger can changethe variation in control. In accordance with some other embodiments, thePAN control function is a variable function and both sliding androtation of the smart ring provide expanded variable control, whereinrotation of the smart ring controls the variation in control and slidingof the smart ring to a different segment expands the variation incontrol as will be further described in conjunction with FIG. 7.

The smart ring 100 with fingerprint sensor 106 integrated at theinterior surface 104 is able to identify ring position. For the purposesof this application ring position will be referred to as identifying ofthe finger upon which the ring is being worn (thumb, index finger,middle finger, ring finger, little finger) and finger segment upon whichthe ring is being worn: first segment (closest to the palm) (proximalphalanges), second segment (intermediate phalanges), and third segment(distal phalanges), where applicable. Even a fourth segment may beapplicable for user's who are double jointed or have particularly longfingers. The smart ring with fingerprint sensor 106 is further able todetect ring rotation and longitudinal sliding of the ring along thefinger from finger segment to finger segment. The stored scans includeinformation pertaining to rotation and sliding motion so that thesemovements are recognized and associated with control functions.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the smart ring 100 providesfinger identification and location/segment information for each thumb,index finger, middle finger, fourth finger, and outer finger of one orboth hands for pre-authorized users stored therein. Each fingeridentification is associated with a predetermined device and eachlocation/segment is associated with a predetermined function.

FIG. 2 is a portable communication system 200 formed in accordance withvarious embodiments. Communication system 200 comprises a plurality ofbody-wearable communication devices 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 240that can be selectively controlled within a PAN network, by the smartring 100 of FIG. 1. In accordance with various embodiments, smart ring100 is interchangeable from finger to finger to enable an operating modeof one or more of the plurality of PAN capable devices. In accordancewith various embodiments, smart ring 100 can be rotated to providevariable control of an enabled function, where applicable. In accordancewith further embodiments, smart ring 100, can be slid from one fingersegment to another finger segment to enable a different control functionof the enabled control mode.

While shown as body-worn devices in FIG. 2, other devices, such as dashmounted PAN devices in a vehicle, handlebar mounted PAN devices, or acombination thereof may also form part of communication system 200. Inaccordance with the various embodiments, smart ring 100 facilitatesmulti-mode control of a plurality of device operating in a PAN.

The plurality of PAN devices 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 240 are shownas examples and may comprise, but are not limited to, display glasses224, video remote speaker microphone (VRSM) 226, a bio-monitoring device228, a smart phone broadband device 230, a smart gun holster 232, and aradio 24. Some of the PAN devices may interoperate with the other PANdevices and may also operate within other networks. For example, theradio 240, may be a land mobile mission critical radio providinginteroperability, collaboration and communication with the other on-bodyPAN devices and/or other network devices (for example VAN, LMR network,base station, broadband, LTE). In accordance with the variousembodiments, smart ring 100 is worn by a user, such as a police officeror other public safety personnel, to allow the user to easily enabledifferent operating modes and control functions associated with thesedevices operating over a wireless PAN.

The smart ring 100, via the interior side sensor 106, provides for thedetection of thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger and littlefinger of authorized users to enable control of different PAN devices ofthe plurality of PAN devices. The smart ring 100, via the interior sidesensor 106, senses each finger segment of each thumb, index finger,middle finger, ring finger and little finger and is further able toprovide variable control via rotation where applicable.

In some applications, the smart ring 100 may initially have a singlefinger location and fingerprint segment information stored therein andthen have additional devices added-on as desired. So, at least one of:thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and outer/little fingerof one or both hands of pre-authorized user finger location andfingerprint segment information is stored within smart ring 100. Thesmart ring 100 may thus control different functions of one device usingdifferent segments. Alternatively, the smart ring 100 may have thefingerprint segments along the single finger assigned to controldifferent devices.

For the smart ring controlling different functions using differentsegments of one finger embodiment, when the user decides to add-ondevices, the smart ring 106 can be updated via fingerprint sensor 106with finger and finger segment information along with assignment to theadded device and control function(s).

Upon placement of the smart ring 100 on the user's, the fingerprintsensor 106 (of FIG. 1) scans a portion of the user's finger and comparesthose prints to pre-stored fingerprints stored in the ring's memory. Thememory provides a database library of pre-stored fingerprints ofauthorized users. These pre-stored fingerprints represent authorizedidentification and smart ring position(s) for assigned devices withpredetermined specific control functions for each device. Upon anauthorized match of finger identification, the user's authorizedidentification and smart ring position(s) identifies the pre-storeddevices and control functions associated with an authorized user of thesmart ring 100. Further control of the identified PAN device is achievedvia the rotation and sliding of the smart ring 100. In some embodiments,the first segment of each finger can be set as a “Home” function, whereonly the physical button 108 is functioning and no rotation function isassigned to the first segment to prevent false triggering of a rotationfunction.

Smart Ring on Ring Finger:

In communication system 200, in response to an appropriate scan match onthe user's ring finger, the smart ring 100 selectively enables apredetermined device associated with that ring finger for that user,such as in this example display glasses 224, and predetermined controlfunctions based on position location of the ring on the finger. Forexample, smart ring 100: when located at segment 1, controls criticalstatus alerts, 214, at when located at segment 2, controls selectcontact phone calls, 216; and when located at segment 3, controls selectmessages/view messages, 218. Thus, smart ring 100 is able to controlfunctions of the display glasses 224 over the PAN network.

Smart Ring on Middle Finger:

In response to an appropriate scan match on the user's middle finger,the smart ring 100 selectively enables a predetermined device associatedwith that user's middle finger, such as in this embodiment, video remotespeaker microphone (VRSM) 226. The specific pre-stored functions for thevideo remote speaker microphone (VRSM) 226 in this example embodimentcapture and stream live video functions using the middle fingerpositioning. For communication system 200, the smart ring 100 beinglocated on the middle finger allows the ring to operate in a VRSM modein which to control certain predetermined control functions of VRSMdevice 226. For example smart ring 100: when located at segment 1,controls camera function, 208; when located at segment 2, controlsvideo/zoom function, 210; and when located at segment 3, controlsphoto/zoom function, 212. Rotation provides additional control offunctions which are variable functions, such as zoom functions.

Smart Ring on Thumb Finger:

In response to an appropriate scan match on the user's thumb, the smartring 100 selectively enables a predetermined device associated with thatthumb finger, such as in this embodiment, the bio-monitoring device 228.The specific pre-stored functions for the bio-monitoring device 228control monitoring the officer's health and vital signs using the smartring 100 at predetermined thumb positions. For example, smart ring 100:when located at segment 1, controls vital sign selection function, 238;and when located at segment 2, controls activation/deactivationfunction, 248.

Smart Ring on Index Finger:

In response to an appropriate scan match on the user's index finger, thesmart ring 100 enables control of an operating mode of the radiobroadband device 240, so as to control predetermined functions. Forexample smart ring 100 located at: segment 1, controls PTT function,202; smart ring 100 located at segment 2, controls volume function, 204;and smart ring located at segment 3, controls channel selectionfunction, 206.

Smart Ring on Little Finger:

In response to an appropriate scan match of the user's little finger topre-stored scans stored in memory, the smart ring 100 enables control ofa smart gun holster 232. A predetermined function of the gun holster 232can now be controlled by the smart ring 100. For example, segment 1,enables an electronic holster lock/unlock function, 220; and segment 2,controls an unlock alert function, 222.

By way of non-limiting examples, the multi-control provided by smartring 100 for communication system 200 is summarized in the Table below:

Finger Device Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Thumb Bio-monitor Vital signselection Activation/ N/A Sensor 238 Deactivation 228 248 Index fingerRadio Home (PTT) Volume Adjust Channel 240 202 204 Selection 206 Middlefinger VRSM Home (Camera) Take Video. Take Photo 226 208 Zooming Zooming210 212 Ring finger Display Glasses Home (Display Select Contacts SelectMessages. 224 Glasses) Phone Call View Message 214 216 218 Little fingerSmart Holster Home (Holster) Activate Unlock N/A 232 220 Alert 222In accordance with the various embodiments, many other devices andcombinations are well within the scope of the embodiments, some of whichare further discussed herein.

FIG. 3 shows the smart ring operating in accordance with someembodiments. In view 310 the smart ring 100 is shown at a first segment1 (Segment 1), thereby enabling a first function. By moving, sliding 302to segment 2, a second function can be enabled. The smart ring 100 canalso be rotated 304 at the segment 2 location, for control functionswhich have variable applications, such as volume and channel change.

The flexible elastic portion 112 of smart ring 100 allows for the userto easily slide and comfortably position the smart ring 100 from segmentposition to segment position along the finger. The segment positions arenaturally formed between the knuckles of a user's fingers, so that auser can easily determine placement. The pre-stored scans include scansof an entire finger and several segment variations and thus accommodatefor many tolerance variations along the segmented versions as well asaround the circumference of the finger.

Accordingly, in accordance with the various embodiments, smart ring 100having fingerprint sensor 106 integrated at inner surface 104 is able toidentify: ring position (identify different finger & finger segmentwhere ring located); and ring movement/rotation.

FIG. 4 shows smart ring 100 additional detail of smart ring 100operating in accordance with some embodiments. For example, smart ring100 placed on an index finger operating in a radio mode embodiment suchas the LMR radio 240 of FIG. 2. The ring finger of the user is shown ashaving three segment areas over which fingerprints can be scanned,segment 1, segment 2, and segment 3. Placing the smart ring at the firstfinger segment identifies an authorized user and enables a PTT function,based on comparisons with pre-stored scanned prints, the ring sets upconnectivity with the LMR radio over a PAN network.

The specific mode and functions for that mode have been pre-storedwithin the smart ring 100. The specific mode is determined based on thefinger identification (here index finger for radio mode, and segmentlocation for function). When smart ring 100 is located on segment 1 ofthe index finger, a first control function 402 is enabled. Here, whenbutton 108 of smart ring 100 is pressed, a PTT function of the radio 240is enabled.

In accordance with the various embodiments, moving the smart ring 100 tothe segment 2 position, a second function 404, in this case volumeadjust, can be controlled. The smart ring 100 can also be rotated at 404at the segment 2 location, for varying the volume.

By moving the ring to the segment 3 position, a third function 406, inthis case channel change, can be controlled. The smart ring 100 can alsobe rotated at 406 at the segment 3 location, for changing the channel.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 shows additional views of the smart ring of FIG. 1being worn and operated in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 5shows smart ring 100 worn on an index finger 510 at a first segmentlocation in accordance with various embodiments. A scan at this segmentlocation of index finger 100 verifies if a pre-stored scan matches thecurrent user print scan. Upon a match taking place, the smart ring 100enables a pre-stored mode such as a smart phone mode, and the button 108controls a pre-stored function, such as a text-to-voice function.

FIG. 6 shows another view of the smart ring of FIG. 1 worn on a middlefinger 620 at a second segment location in accordance with variousembodiments. For example, in response to a scan being taken of thisfirst segment of middle finger 620. Smart ring 100 then verifies whethera pre-stored scan matches the current user fingerprint scan for thisfirst segment location of the middle finger. In response to a match, thesmart ring enables a pre-stored mode, such as a body worn camera mode,and the button 108 controls a shutter function of the body worn camera.Sliding 602 the smart ring 100 to a second segment location, enablesanother function of the body worn camera, for example a video function.In accordance with the various embodiments, a variable function can becontrolled via rotation 604 of the smart ring 100. Rotation is detectedby movement of the smart ring 100 and images of fingerprints beingscanned on the interior sensor 106 during such movement. The scannedprints saved to memory include images that reflect rotation and thusallow for comparison with prints that reflect rotation. Accordingly,rotation of smart ring 100 in this example embodiment, results in a zoomin/zoom out variable control of the video control. Hence, the smart ring100 having, proper scan match, is able to enable functions (shutter) andcontrol variable functions (zoom) of the body worn camera.

FIG. 7 shows the smart ring of FIG. 1 worn on a ring finger 730 at athird segment location in accordance with various embodiments. Forexample, a scan is taken of the first segment of ring finger 730, andsmart ring 100 verifies whether a pre-stored scan matches the currentuser fingerprint scan for this first segment location of the ringfinger. In response to a match, the smart ring enables a pre-stored modeand function, such as radio mode, and channel change. Accordingly, smartring 100 now provides for and controls an expanded three levels ofchannel change. Rotation of the smart ring 100 at a first segment 1location controls a first range of channels 1-10, sliding smart ring 100to the second segment 2 location controls a second range of channels11-20, and sliding smart ring 100 to the third segment location controlsa third range of channels 21-30. Hence, smart ring 100 canadvantageously be used over three finger segments of a single finger fora single function to provide a user with expanded functional control.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the smart ring of FIG. 1 operating inaccordance with various emergency alert embodiments 800. In view 802,the smart ring 100 having button 108 and LEDs 110 is shown operatingnormally on a finger of an authorized user. Moving to view 804, removal810 of the smart ring 100, whether by accident or force, without the useof predetermined shutdown techniques, triggers an alarm alert via theLEDs 110, putting the smart ring 100 into a lock-down mode in which thefinger identification and finger segment location identificationfunctions are disabled. Other alarm alerts may also be implementedwithin smart ring 100, such as audio alarm alerts, and triggered inresponse to the smart ring being removed without appropriate shutdowntechniques. Other examples of smart ring 100 alert instructions include,but are not limited to, sending an instruction to a radio to transmit anemergency signal to a base station, ring instruction to the radio tosend 911 notification, ring instruction to the radio to turn on aspeaker with a loud alert tone, to name a few.

Hence, in accordance with the various embodiments, removal of the smartring 100 without a predetermined shutdown technique puts the smart ringinto an appropriate lock-down mode and triggers an alarm alert. Thepredetermined shutdown techniques may include pressing the smart ringbutton 108 in a predetermined sequence, in conjunction with entering acode on a device or some combination of predetermined sliding androtation for individual users.

In accordance with various embodiments, audible alert notifications sentby the smart ring 200 as part of the lock down procedure may be pickedup by other devices within the communication system 200, or other nearbysystems. Devices such as the radio 240 which are typically connectedinto larger systems are then more likely to become aware of potentialissues being faced by a fellow officer through the audible alerts.

Moving to view 806 an unauthorized user's hands are shown. Regardless ofwhich finger or which finger segment, the unauthorized user attempts towear the smart ring 100, the smart ring will not operate. Firstly, whenthe smart-ring is in lock-down mode it cannot be enabled except by anauthorized user. Secondly, even if the smart ring 100 were to becomeenabled none of the prints anywhere on an unauthorized user's fingerswould match to any pre-stored prints within the smart ring's memory.

FIG. 9 is a communication system 900 a plurality of communicationdevices formed and operating in accordance with various embodiments. Atleast one of the plurality of communication devices comprises a smartring 910 formed and operating in accordance with the various embodimentsto control at least one control function of at least one othercommunication device within the plurality of communication devices overa PAN network. In communication system 900, the plurality ofcommunication devices, by way of example, comprise, a radio 920, acamera 930, a smart phone 940, and could further comprise otheraccessories 950. Each of the plurality of communication devices 920,930, 940, 950 is a battery operated device providing various functionssuch as those utilized by public safety personnel in day-to-dayactivities under control of their respective controllers. In accordancewith the various embodiments, smart ring 910 comprises a controller 902controlling a fingerprint processor algorithm for comparing fingerprintssensed by a fingerprint sensor 906 with pre-stored fingerprints storedin a memory 904. Memory 904 provides a database library of pre-storedfingerprints of authorized users. The database library contain printstaken along all portions of an authorized user's fingers, such that thefingerprint processor algorithm is able to take a scan taken by thesmart ring 910 at a side segment portion and locate a match for thatportion, if it exists, in the database. If a match occurs, theidentification of finger and finger segment allows for a predetermineddevice of the plurality of communication devices to have a predeterminedfunction controlled by the smart ring 100.

Each of the plurality of PAN devices will be described in terms of anexample embodiment, but with the understanding that the embodiments ofthe invention are not limited to these devices nor to the specificposition of the smart ring to particular finger/finger segmentassignments. In accordance with the various embodiments, the smart ring910 can be adapted for different users by saving different prints intothe memory 904 fingerprint database library and associating those printswith the connectivity of PAN devices utilized by each user/officer. Thefingerprint sensor 906 can further scan prints for different fingers andsegments and these positions can be saved in memory for each individualofficer in a customized manner. Thus, officers with smaller hands whomay want to control, say volume using a different finger segment may doso, as the smart ring 910 has been identified for their own use.

Each of the plurality of communication devices further comprises PANconnectivity modules, such as smart ring connectivity module 905, radioconnectivity module 925, body worn camera connectivity module 935, smartphone connectivity module 945, and accessory(s) connectivity module(s)955. In some embodiments, the smart ring 910 may be enabled, powered on,when the smart ring 100 is put on by the user, and the print scanner 906detects a print input at the scanner, pre-authorization. In otheralternative embodiments, a dedicated on/off may be used, or a long pressof the mechanical button 908 may be used. Hence, a variety of on/offapproaches to enable the smart ring 100 can be utilized. Once the smartring 100 is enabled, the plurality of devices are simultaneouslyconnected over the PAN. For the purposes of this application,connectivity between the smart ring 910 and the selected device to becontrolled is achieved over the personal area network (PAN) using awireless low-powered PAN, also referred to as WPAN carried over ashort-distance wireless network technology such as: INSTEON, IrDA,Wireless USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, Z-Wave, ZigBee, and Body Area Network(BAN), to name a few. The reach of the PAN varies from a few centimetersto a few meters and thus is well suited for body-worn devices, dashmounted devices, handle bar mounted devices and the like. Although, theplurality of devices are all connected over the PAN simultaneously, thesmart ring 100 control over an individual device/function is representedvia signal designators 921 to designators 931, 941 and 951 (which arenot simultaneous). Hence, the smart ring 100 is able to send aninstruction to a single PAN device to which the instruction is intendedto go to. In other words, the smart ring 100 is able to selectivelysend, based on the scan match, the predetermined instruction to apredetermined device via an individual PAN connectivity signal, such as921 or 931 or 941 or 951.

Example of Smart Ring 100 Controlling a Function of LMR Radio 920 inSystem 900

The radio 920 is a two-way radio, such as a land mobile radio (LMR),operating in a public a safety communications system. Radio 920comprises a controller 922, an LMR transceiver 924 for narrowbandcommunications such as those used in public safety. Radio 920 furthercomprises a volume control button 926, a push-to-talk (PTT) button 928,and a channel control button 927. The volume control button 926, PTTbutton 928, and channel control button 927, all control radio functionswhich, under some environments, for example, undercover operations, anofficer might find beneficial to control via the smart ring 100.

Radio 920 thus provides for certain predetermined control functions tobe controlled over a PAN network, by smart ring 100, via wireless PANconnectivity 921, such as volume control button 926, push-to-talk button928, and channel control button 927. In accordance with the variousembodiments, LMR radio 920 further comprises PAN connectivity module925.

In accordance with the various embodiments, smart ring 910 uponauthorized match of a user's finger identification and finger segmentlocation to pre-stored fingerprint information stored in ring memory904, enables smart ring to control a predetermined function of the LMRradio 920. In the LMR embodiment, pressing the button 908 of the smartring 910 while positioned, for example, upon an index finger of anauthorized user, at a first finger segment, enables PTT of the LMR radio920.

Other predetermined LMR radio control functions, such as volume control926 can be achieved by sliding the smart ring 910 along the user'sfinger to different segments. For example, the volume control 926 can beenabled by smart ring 910 by sliding the smart ring to a second fingersegment of the index finger and rotating the smart ring 910, clockwiseor counterclockwise, to adjust the LMR volume up and down.

LMR channel control 928 can be enabled by sliding the smart ring 910 toanother appropriate finger segment, such as a third segment of the indexfinger, and rotating the smart ring 910, clockwise and counterclockwise,to adjust the LMR channel control 928 up and down.

Example of Smart Ring 100 controlling a function of Body Worn Camera 930in System 900

Body worn camera 930 comprises a controller 932, a camera module forphotography and video applications, and control functions comprising:zoom-in/zoom-out control 937, shutter button control 938, and videorecording enable button 938. In accordance with the various embodiments,body worn camera 930 further comprises PAN connectivity module 935.

In accordance with the various embodiments, smart ring 910 uponauthorized match of a user's finger identification and finger segmentlocation to pre-stored fingerprint information stored in memory 904enables a body worn camera mode which allows smart ring 930 to controlcertain predetermined functions of the body worn camera 930. In thisembodiment, pressing the button 908 of the smart ring 910, while thesmart ring 100 is positioned on, for example, a middle finger of theauthorized user, at a first finger segment, enables camera shuttercontrol 938 of body worn camera 930.

Sliding the smart ring 910 to a second appropriate finger segment of themiddle finger provides the smart ring with additional variable controlvia clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. The detection of motion bythe fingerprint sensor 106 of smart ring 910 in the clockwise andcounterclockwise rotation provides zoom in/zoom out control for thecamera module 934. The smart ring button 908 may still operate as ashutter button to take a photo of the zoom-adjusted subject matter.

Detection of motion, sliding, by the sensor 906 by the smart ring 910 toa third appropriate finger segment of the middle finger, changes thecontrol of the smart ring button 908 to that of a video recording button938. Then sensing the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of smartring 910 at the third finger segment of the middle finger provides zoomin/zoom out control 937 of the video recording.

Example of Smart Ring Controlling a Function of a Smart Phone in System900

Smart phone 940 comprises a controller 942, a GSM module 944 forlocation applications, and control functions comprising: answer/rejectcall 948, volume control 946 and touch screen control 947. In accordancewith the various embodiments, smart phone 940 further comprises PANconnectivity module 945.

In accordance with the various embodiments, smart ring 910 uponauthorized match of a user's finger identification and finger segmentlocation to pre-stored fingerprint information stored in memory 904,enables a predetermined function of the smart phone. Smart phone 940 maybe worn on the body on a carry case or pocket, mounted on handle bars ofa bicycle or dashboard of a vehicle within the PAN network.

In this example embodiment, pressing the button 908 of the smart ring910 while positioned on, for example an index finger of a user, at afirst finger segment, enables, smart phone function answer/reject call948.

Sliding the smart ring 910 to a second appropriate finger segment of theindex finger further provides variable volume control for an answeredcall, via clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation.

Sliding smart ring 100 to another segment on the finger enables, via PANconnectivity 941, a GSM module function 944, wherein rotation of thesmart ring 100 at that same segment location, further provides touchscreen control 947 to facilitate usage of the GSM application of smartphone 940.

Example of Smart Ring Controlling Accessories (HMD, Smart Watch, Sensor,ETC) in System 900

Accessories 950 comprise appropriate respective controller(s) 952 forcontrolling specific function module(s) 954 via user interface 956,sensor(s) 957, and mechanical buttons 958. In accordance with thevarious embodiments, the specific control function of accessories(s) 950are controllable by smart ring 910 upon appropriate authorization.

In accordance with the various embodiments, smart ring 910 uponauthorized match of a user's finger identification and finger segmentlocation to pre-stored fingerprint information stored in memory 904,enables wireless PAN connectivity 951 to connectivity module 955 of avariety of PAN accessory devices 950, thereby providing the capabilityto add-on predetermined functions associated with those accessoriescontrol those functions with the smart ring 910 and remove them asdesired. The plurality of PAN accessories 950 may be worn on the body,in a carry case or pocket, mounted on handle bars of a bicycle ordashboard of a vehicle and operate within the PAN network. Accessorieswhich have a user interface 956, whether mechanical via mechanicalbutton(s) 958, sensor(s) 957, or other specific control functionmodule(s) 958 under the control of a controller 952 and which furtherhave PAN connectivity 955 are all good candidates for having thosefunctions managed via the smart ring 910 over PAN connectivity 951. Forexample, a heads up display, a smart watch, and sensor devices for bodybiometrics and the like are all good candidates for having some of theirfunction being controlled via the smart ring 910 in accordance with thevarious embodiments.

While the example embodiments of system 900 have been described in termsof connectivity from the smart ring 910 to each PAN device throughindividual PAN connectivity 921, 931, 941, 951, in accordance withalternative embodiments, the smart ring 910 can connect over the PAN toa single device, for example to radio 940, operating as a main hub. Thismain hub can then communicate control instructions sent by the smartring 910 to the rest of the plurality of PAN devices. For example, smartring 910 can instruct radio 940 to take a photo by the body worn camera930, then radio 940 instructs the body worn camera 930 to take a photo,then the camera takes the photo.

A few non-limiting examples of functions that can be well controlled viarotation are provided below:

-   -   i) Volume function (radio/smartphone mode): Increase/reduce the        volume level    -   ii) Channel function (radio/smartphone mode): Change channel    -   iii) Zoom function (Camera/Video mode): Zoom in/Out the        picture/video    -   iv) Fast-forward/backward function (Video mode)    -   v) Scroll up/down (HMD/radio/smartphone mode): Scroll up/down a        menu    -   vi) Change page (HMD/radio/smartphone mode): Change the page of        a menu    -   vii) Display intensity (HMD/radio/smartphone mode): Change        display intensity    -   viii) Display/User Interface/Text/Notification Size        (HMD/radio/smartphone mode)

A few non-limiting examples of functions that can be well controlled viasliding from finger segment to finger segment without the need forrotation are provided below:

Without rotation—Sample examples:

-   -   i) Mode and function: different fingers enabling different        device modes and different segment locations along each finger        enabling different functions        -   Sample examples:        -   Camera Mode: index finger: 1^(st) segment OFF, 2^(nd)            segment camera function enabled/button press, and 3^(rd)            segment video enabled/button press        -   Radio Mode: middle Finger: 1st, 2^(nd) and 3^(rd) segments            provide different channel/zone functions.    -   ii) Environmental functions:        -   Quiet vs Noisy environment: control audio loudness of device            by sliding ring from one finger segment to another        -   Indoor vs Outdoor: control display intensity by sliding ring            from one finger segment to another thereby controlling the            device over the PAN such that display intensity goes from            one level to another.    -   iii) Different operating Modes per Finger for one Device        -   Device operates in Normal Mode when smart ring worn at index            finger, Device operates in Covert Mode (e.g. a display            camouflage enabled) when smart ring worn at middle finger,            Device operates in Silent Mode when smart ring worn at ring            finger (e.g. vibrate call alerts enabled).

In accordance with the various embodiments, combinations ofpress-button, slide, and rotation can be appropriately combined to bestsuit using the control ring 910 to remotely control a variety of devicesworn on the body or located close to the body.

Referring briefly to the Smart Phone Device 940, in some situations auser may wish to use the smart ring 910 to enable a special smart phonemode 940 so as to control a very large number of different smart phonefunctions. In this embodiment, it can be beneficial to dedicate theuser's pre-stored prints of all the finger segment locations to thelarge number of different smart phone functions. In other words, allfingers, all segments, and rotation can be dedicated to controllingfunctions of one device, if desired. This special smart phone mode canlater be changed back to just a few default functions, such as volumecontrol and touch screen. Depending on a user's desired application forthe smart ring 100, examples of functions for the Smart Phone mayinclude but are not limited to:

Smart Phone Mode Functions Examples:

-   -   Operating State: Silent, Covert, Loud, Vibrate    -   Messaging/Email: Press button will trigger text-to-voice        notification    -   Date/Time: One position will read out date, one position will        read out time    -   Reply to message with standard pre-stored reply template: press        button to indicate reply message, rotate to select the        pre-stored template message, select and send upon button press.    -   Password: use predetermined slide/push/rotate/sequence to unlock        the phone.    -   Calendar: Rotate: to read out calendar meeting/action        items/agenda, scroll through the action items    -   Contacts: Rotate to scroll through contacts and call    -   Examples for a device to be Smartphone controlled when mounted        at certain place (e.g. vehicle dashboard, workplace phone        stand):        -   wake up the phone screen        -   change the phone brightness (e.g. change weather or            lightning        -   scrolling on text        -   scrolling on icons        -   select icons remotely        -   scroll through gallery (photo album) remotely        -   GPS/location app control        -   On or Off flashlight on smartphone        -   snap a photo/video

Accordingly, there has been provided a smart ring 100 suitable forcontrolling and supporting expanded functionality of devices within aPAN network, a VAN network and/or combinations thereof. An individualwearing the smart ring 100, such as a police officer or other publicsafety person, is now advantageously able to manage a plurality ofdevices, worn on or proximately located around the user, and is furtherable to control various functions associated with those devices.Additional safety alerts and features can be provided to protect againstloss or unauthorized usage.

The utilization of the inner ring surface for fingerprint scan todiscriminate different user fingers and finger segments to enterdifferent modes and supporting multiple PAN devices provides asignificant advantage over, for example, finger gesture pointernavigation type systems.

The ability to detect the ring location and movement of the ring throughfingerprint scanning provides a highly reliable and accurate system withexpanded control. The smart ring and communication in which smart ringis incorporated provided by the various embodiments avoids the use ofcapacitive touch sensing, inertia sensing (gyroscope, accelerometeretc), of past devices, thereby overcoming issues of false triggering andlimited functionality associated with such approaches.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”,“having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . .a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly statedotherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly and notnecessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” ina certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also beconfigured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one ormore generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors andfield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored programinstructions (including both software and firmware) that control the oneor more processors to implement, in conjunction with certainnon-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of themethod and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or allfunctions could be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, acombination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readablestorage medium having computer readable code stored thereon forprogramming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform amethod as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storagedevice, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flashmemory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

We claim:
 1. A personal area network (PAN) control device, comprising: asmart ring having a fingerprint sensor integrated on an interiorsurface, the fingerprint sensor identifying ring position based onidentifying upon which finger and which finger segment the smart ring isbeing worn; a memory located within the smart ring, the memory havingpre-stored fingerprint information stored therein; and a controllercoupled to the memory and fingerprint sensor within the smart ring, thecontroller enabling a predetermined PAN control function in response tothe identified finger and finger segment matching the pre-storedfingerprint information, wherein the smart ring further providesvariable control of the enabled PAN control function via at least oneof: rotation of the smart ring; sliding of the smart ring to differentsegment locations; rotation of the smart ring and sliding of the smartring, wherein rotation of the smart ring controls the variable controlfunction and sliding of the smart ring to a different segment expandsthe control function so that rotation at a new segment provides expandedvariable control.
 2. The PAN control device of claim 1, wherein thememory has finger location and fingerprint segment information for atleast one of: thumb, index finger, middle finger, fourth finger, andouter finger of one or both hands of pre-authorized users storedtherein.
 3. The PAN control device of claim 1, wherein the memory hasfinger location and fingerprint segment information for each thumb,index finger, middle finger, fourth finger, and outer finger of one orboth hands of pre-authorized users stored therein.
 4. The PAN controldevice of claim 1, wherein the wearable ring further comprises apush-button on an exterior surface.
 5. The PAN control device of claim1, wherein a non-match to the pre-stored match pre-stored fingerprintinformation triggers an emergency LED alert function indicative of anunauthorized user.
 6. The PAN control device of claim 1, wherein thesmart ring comprises an adjustable flex portion for sizing.
 7. Aportable communication system, comprising: a plurality body-wearablepersonal area network (PAN) devices, at least one of which comprises asmart ring; and the smart ring, comprising: a controller; a sensorcoupled to the controller, the sensor sensing fingerprint informationfor finger identification and finger segment location of a finger wornsmart ring, and the controller selectively enabling a predeterminedfunction from a plurality of pre-stored functions for a device of theplurality of PAN devices, based on identification of the finger andfinger segment location of the smart ring, wherein the smart ringfurther provides variable control of the predetermined function of theselected device, and the variable control is provided by at least oneof: rotation of the smart ring at the finger segment location; slidingthe smart ring to a different finger segment location, without rotationof the smart ring; sliding the smart ring to a different finger segmentlocation along with rotation of the smart ring at each different fingersegment location.
 8. The portable communication system of claim 7,wherein the plurality of pre-stored functions which are controllable bysmart ring rotation, comprise one or more of: increase/decrease volume;channel up/down; zoom-in/zoom out; fast-forward/fast-reverse; scrollup/down menu; change page menu; increase and decrease display intensity;display intensity; and user interface character size on display.
 9. Theportable communication system of claim 7, wherein the plurality ofpre-stored functions which are controllable by different finger segmentlocations of the smart ring, without smart ring rotation, comprise oneor more of: camera and video at two segments; channel/zone function atthree segments; indoor display intensity and outdoor display intensityat two segments; audio loudness for quiet environment and audio loudnessfor noisy at two segments; light OFF and light ON at two segments. 10.The portable communication system of claim 7, further comprising: alight emitting diode (LED) coupled to the smart ring; and the LEDindicating an emergency alert indicative of an unauthorized user inresponse to the sensor sensing fingerprint information not matchingpre-stored fingerprint information stored.
 11. The portablecommunication system of claim 7, wherein removal of the smart ringwithout a predetermined shutdown of the smart ring puts the smart ringin a lock-down mode and triggers an alarm alert.
 12. The portablecommunication system of claim 7, wherein the smart ring is adjustablevia an elastic material.
 13. The portable communication system of claim7, wherein the smart ring detects a thumb, an index finger, a middlefinger, a ring finger and a little finger to provide a different controlfunction for a different PAN device of the plurality of PAN devices, andthe smart ring senses each finger segment of each thumb, index finger,middle finger, ring finger and little finger to provide variable controlvia rotation of the smart ring.
 14. A personal area network (PAN)control device, comprising: a smart ring having a fingerprint sensorintegrated on an interior surface, the fingerprint sensor identifyingring position based on identifying upon which finger and which fingersegment the smart ring is being worn; a memory located within the smartring, the memory having pre-stored fingerprint information storedtherein, wherein the memory has finger location and fingerprint segmentinformation for at least one of: thumb, index finger, middle finger,fourth finger, and outer finger of one or both hands of pre-authorizedusers stored therein; and a controller coupled to the memory andfingerprint sensor within the smart ring, the controller enabling apredetermined PAN control function in response to the identified fingerand finger segment matching the pre-stored fingerprint information. 15.A personal area network (PAN) control device, comprising: a smart ringhaving a fingerprint sensor integrated on an interior surface, thefingerprint sensor identifying ring position based on identifying uponwhich finger and which finger segment the smart ring is being worn; apush-button on an exterior surface; a memory located within the smartring, the memory having pre-stored fingerprint information storedtherein; and a controller coupled to the memory and fingerprint sensorwithin the smart ring, the controller enabling a predetermined PANcontrol function in response to the identified finger and finger segmentmatching the pre-stored fingerprint information.
 16. A personal areanetwork (PAN) control device, comprising: a smart ring having afingerprint sensor integrated on an interior surface, the fingerprintsensor identifying ring position based on identifying upon which fingerand which finger segment the smart ring is being worn; a memory locatedwithin the smart ring, the memory having pre-stored fingerprintinformation stored therein; and a controller coupled to the memory andfingerprint sensor within the smart ring, the controller enabling apredetermined PAN control function in response to the identified fingerand finger segment matching the pre-stored fingerprint information,wherein a non-match to the pre-stored fingerprint information triggersan emergency LED alert function indicative of an unauthorized user. 17.A personal area network (PAN) control device, comprising: a smart ringhaving a fingerprint sensor integrated on an interior surface, thefingerprint sensor identifying ring position based on identifying uponwhich finger and which finger segment the smart ring is being worn; anadjustable flex portion for sizing; a memory located within the smartring, the memory having pre-stored fingerprint information storedtherein; and a controller coupled to the memory and fingerprint sensorwithin the smart ring, the controller enabling a predetermined PANcontrol function in response to the identified finger and finger segmentmatching the pre-stored fingerprint information.
 18. A portablecommunication system, comprising: a plurality body-wearable personalarea network (PAN) devices, at least one of which comprises a smartring; and the smart ring, comprising: a controller; a sensor coupled tothe controller, the sensor sensing fingerprint information for fingeridentification and finger segment location of a finger worn smart ring;the controller selectively enabling a predetermined function from aplurality of pre-stored functions for a device of the plurality of PANdevices, based on identification of the finger and finger segmentlocation of the smart ring; and the smart ring providing at least onealert comprising: a light emitting diode (LED) coupled to the smartring, the LED indicating an emergency alert indicative of anunauthorized user in response to the sensor sensing fingerprintinformation not matching pre-stored fingerprint information stored; andan alarm alert which puts the smart ring in a lock-down mode, the alarmalert being triggered in response to removal of the smart ring without apredetermined shutdown of the smart ring.
 19. The PAN control device ofclaim 14, wherein the smart ring further provides variable control ofthe enabled PAN control function via rotation of the smart ring.
 20. ThePAN control device of claim 14, wherein the smart ring further providesvariable control of the enabled PAN control function by sliding thesmart ring to different segment locations.
 21. The PAN control device ofclaim 14, wherein the PAN control function is a variable function androtation at of the smart ring controls the variable control function andsliding of the smart ring to a different segment expands the controlfunction so that rotation at the new segment provides expanded variablecontrol.
 22. The portable communication system of claim 18, wherein thesmart ring further provides variable control of the predeterminedfunction of the selected device, and the variable control is provided byrotation of the smart ring at the finger segment location.
 23. Theportable communication system of claim 18, wherein the smart ringprovides variable control of the predetermined function of the selecteddevice, and the variable control is provided by sliding the smart ringto a different finger segment location, without rotation of the smartring.
 24. The portable communication system of claim 18, wherein thesmart ring provides variable control of the predetermined function ofthe selected device, and the variable control is provided by sliding thesmart ring to a different finger segment location along with rotation ofthe smart ring at each different finger segment location.